National Hate Crime Awareness Week 2019
Philip Glanville, Mayor of Hackney, Cllr Caroline Selman, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Enforcement, and Cllr Sade Etti, Hackney's No Place for Hate Champion, write in support of National Hate Crime Awareness Week:
“We are proud to be representatives of our inclusive, diverse and welcoming borough, and we are committed to ensuring that our community is a place for everyone. This week is National Hate Crime Awareness Week, and we recognise the importance of tackling hate crime in all forms, not just during this awareness week but every single day.
“As one of the most diverse boroughs in London, we recognise that our shared values of inclusivity, respect and diversity are what makes Hackney such a fantastic place to live, work and visit.
“We are committed to celebrating the rich diversity in our borough. Earlier this month, we launched our Black History Season programme, which features a range of events across the borough centred around the theme of African and Caribbean hair and fashion - and we look forward to seeing local residents of all ages coming together to celebrate this highlight in our cultural calendar.”
"This year has also seen our borough celebrating its biggest and greenest Hackney Carnival yet, our Windrush Generations Festival saw a range of events held across the borough to celebrate the Windrush generation’s contributions to Hackney, and our UK Black Pride Festival saw thousands of BAME LGBTQ+ people celebrating in Haggerston Park this summer. We also clearly stand against all forms of racism including, but not limited to, anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.
"Last year, we launched our official strategy for tackling hate crime, which details our key commitments for the next four years to ensure that Hackney is no place for hate, including building our understanding of hate crime, increasing the reporting of hate crime, and building community resilience against extremist beliefs and attitudes.
"However, hate crimes across the UK have been on the rise since the 2016 EU Referendum, and we acknowledge that more needs to be done, not just during this time of political uncertainty, but for many years to come.
"Hate crime has devastating impacts on individuals, families, friends and our communities as a whole - and it will not be tolerated in our borough. We will continue to work to stamp out hate crime in all of its forms, and to ensure that Hackney is no place for hate."
Hate crime can be reported to the police by calling 999 in an emergency, and 101 in other situations. You can also report hate crime to Stop Hate UK on 0800 138 1625.